Big Run Powers Tide Past Tigers

COLLEGE BASKETBALL - Nation - The Beat

January 18, 2004

Earnest Shelton hit three first-half 3-pointers to spark a 31-4 run as Alabama (10-4, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) continued its home-court dominance of Auburn (10-5, 1-3), winning 69-46 Saturday night. The Tigers haven't won in Tuscaloosa since 1999. Alabama holds a 38-7 series advantage at home.

GAMECOCKS ON A ROLL

Josh Gonner scored 24 points as host South Carolina (16-2, 3-1 SEC) continued its best start in 34 years with an 85-64 victory over Tennessee (10-3, 2-2). The Gamecocks haven't been this good since starting 18-1 in 1969-70.

HOGS DOWN REBELS

Eric Ferguson scored 19 points, and Vincent Hunter had season highs of 14 points and nine rebounds to help host Arkansas (9-6, 1-3 SEC) avoid its first 0-4 start in the SEC with a 86-78 win over Mississippi (8-6, 0-3).

Paul Davis had 22 points and seven rebounds to lead host Michigan State (7-7, 2-1 Big Ten) to a 71-54 victory over Michigan (10-4, 1-2). The Spartans (7-7, 2-1 Big Ten) beat their rival for the ninth time in 10 meetings.

Terence Dials had 14 points and led an inside assault in host Ohio State's 73-62 victory over Minnesota (8-7, 0-3 Big Ten). Dials, averaging 8.2 points a game, had assists on consecutive dunks by J.J. Sullinger and Velimir Radinovic as the Buckeyes (9-7, 1-2) took the lead for good early in the first half.

Brad Korn had 17 points, and Southern Illinois (12-2, 6-0 Missouri Valley) made eight consecutive free throws over the final 45 seconds to defeat host Bradley (8-9, 1-5) 72-62 and remain the only unbeaten team in the MVC.